DWR Announces April 1 Snow Survey Results; SWP Allocations Increased.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Results of the April 1, 2005, snow survey by the California Department of Water Resources off Highway 50 near Echo Summit are as follows:

% of Long
Location       Elevation    Snow Depth    Water Content   Term Average

Alpha          7,600 feet   117.7 inches   46.8 inches        140
Phillips       6,800 feet    93.1 inches   39.7 inches        141
Tamarack Flat  6,500 feet   101.1 inches   43.1 inches        159

Weather conditions made accessibility to the Lyons Creek area impossible and that course will be omitted from the current survey.

One more monthly survey is scheduled, along with the final assessment of the season, late in April.

In addition to this single manually measured site, reporters can find real-time readings of statewide water content posted on the Internet in date order (newest at the bottom) at http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/lsreports/DLYSWEQ.

Electronic sensor readings posted today show Northern Sierra snow water equivalents at 124% of normal for this date, Central Sierra at 135%, and Southern Sierra at 153%. Statewide, the percentage of normal is at 137%.

Meanwhile, DWR officials announced today that the 2005 allocation of State Water Project water is being increased from 2.48 million acre-feet to 2.89 MAF. That is projected to meet 70 percent of most SWP contractor's requests, up from 60 percent. 29 water and irrigation districts have contracts to purchase water from the SWP.

Importance of Snow Surveying

Snow-water content is important in determining the coming year's water supply. The measurements help hydrologists prepare water supply forecasts as well as provide others, such as hydroelectric power companies and the recreation industry, with much needed data.

Monitoring is coordinated by the Department of Water Resources as part of the multi-agency California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program. Surveyors from more than 50 agencies and utilities visit hundreds of snow measurement courses in the Sierra each month to gauge the amount of water in the snowpack.

The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.